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Vibrant and active precincts

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Discover initiatives, tools and support to help Brisbane’s precincts thrive, including our new visual merchandising guide.

About Brisbane’s business precincts 

Brisbane's business precincts are alive with shopping and dining opportunities. 

As our city looks toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Council is committed to promoting these precincts and enhancing their value for residents and visitors. 

Brisbane’s has 3 types of precincts, each with unique identities: 

  • central precincts 
  • industrial precincts 
  • retail precincts.  

If you’re a business owner, we offer tools and resources to help attract customers to your local precinct. 

Support for local retail precincts 

Growing Precincts Together program

Local retail precincts are the heart of our communities. 

Through the Growing Precincts Together program, Council provides support and resources for retailers to promote, refresh and activate their business and local area. 

Some of the areas that have benefitted from our hands-on support include: 

  • Banyo Village 
  • Racecourse Road, Hamilton 
  • Rosalie Village 
  • Wynnum Town Centre 

Learn more about the Growing Precincts Together program.

Artwork for vacant shopfronts

If you're a property owner or agent with a vacant shop for lease, you can apply to have vibrant decals temporarily installed on the front windows of your premises.

The themed decals are designed to attract new tenants by making vacant shopfronts more visually appealing.

They also highlight their potential business use of the store and help to improve the streetscape.

Find out more and how to apply for art decals.

Support for Brisbane’s nighttime economy

The city's nighttime economy supports thousands of jobs and generates millions of dollars in revenue each year.

To support this important part of the city’s economy, Council delivers initiatives and promotes activities to encourage people to experience our nightlife.

Visual merchandising guide

Our Shops that shine - Guide to visual merchandising has been developed to help retail businesses to:

  • improve store presentation and customer experience
  • maximise sales opportunities.

Download the guide.

The guide provides expert information and tips that can help:

  • attract customers to your store
  • keep customers in-store for longer
  • boost sales
  • build your brand recognition and customer loyalty.
Why visual merchandising matters

Visual merchandising helps products stand out and encourages more sales, whether customers are browsing in person or online. It transforms shoppers into buyers by guiding purchasing decisions increasing transaction value, and showcasing how products can be styled or used together.

Real retail success comes from crafting experiences that connect with customers and bring them back for more. From windows and signage to layout and sensory elements, visual merchandising helps turn foot traffic and online views into revenue.

How to use the guide

The guide includes simple steps, top tips and checklists to maximise the potential of your retail space. Featuring quick and easy wins to more advanced visual merchandising principles, the guide is suitable for all retailers and includes topics such as:

  • signage and kerb appeal
  • window and in-store displays
  • store layout and customer flow
  • planning and product strategies
  • building your display toolbox.
More information

For more information about the guide:

Engaging with customers and the community

Council encourages business leaders, trade groups and individual retailers to build relationships with each other and the local community.

This can contribute to additional foot traffic and potential customers for businesses in your local precinct.

You can get involved in initiatives, activations and activities to help drive connections with customers and residents in your area. 

Boost your precinct

Discover our Precinct Playbook online resources to help make your local centre more active, attractive and connected. 

The information and advice can be applied to all retail precincts, regardless of their size.

Increasing the visibility of your area can drive customer growth.

Tips for events and activations 

Events and activations can help your local retail precinct engage with customers.  

We’ve pulled together some ideas, including coupon flyers and pop-up markets, and provided simple steps for success.

Pop-up shops

Pop-up shops can help draw new interest to retail precincts. They can showcase new products to local customers and draw potential new customers.  

Pop-ups can also show how empty spaces and premises can be used by new businesses.

Find out how to get started when planning a pop-up shop.

Precinct data

Find and analyse precinct data with community profiles using the latest demographic, social and economic data.

Discover more with our community profiles tool.

Better access for your customers

Enhance business access and connect with people by following the simple steps, tips and checklist in our Better Access, More Customers guide.

Simple changes can make a big difference.